Ensure there is no shortage of drinking water, fodder during summer: DC Snehal

(Pic for representation only)Dharwad: As the summer has set in and the temperature is hovering at 36 degrees Celsius, several parts of the districts are staring at a possible drinking water shortage. As the IMD has predicted a long and harsh summer, the district administration has pulled up officials, directing them to ensure there is no shortage of drinking water and fodder for cattle.Chairing Dharwad District Disaster Management Authority meeting, deputy commissioner Snehal R said that officials must remain available locally and perform their duties effectively to ensure that there is no shortage of drinking water or fodder during the summer season. They must also respond promptly to calls received on public helplines,she said.Based on data and experiences from previous years, the authority had estimated that around 90 villages in the district may face drinking water shortages during March, April, and May as summer intensifies. Accordingly, drinking water is currently being supplied through eight private borewells on a rental basis in eight villages.The deputy commissioner directed tahsildars and gram panchayat development officers to take precautionary measures to prevent drinking water shortages.At present, no village or town in the district is facing drinking water problems, and there is sufficient stock of fodder for livestock, she said.Drinking water is being supplied through private borewells in eight villages, including- Hosatti, Mandihal, Belur and Mugad in Dharwad taluk, Noolvi and Adaragunchi in Hubballi taluk, Nelliharavi Tanda and B Hulikatti in Kalaghatagi taluk.The district has 395 villages, and of these, 90 villages are considered vulnerable to water shortages during summer. As a precautionary measure, agreements have already been signed with owners of 186 private borewells to ensure water supply if required. Officials have been instructed to take immediate action whenever necessary.DC Snehal also directed officials to collect water samples from drinking water sources and distribution points in villages and towns to ensure the water is safe for consumption. Measures must be taken to prevent the supply of contaminated water, she said.Since water demand usually increases during summer, all drinking water tanks in the district have already been filled. Authorities must ensure these tanks are not contaminated and that the water is not used for agriculture or other activities. Special attention should also be given to ensure that animals and birds do not face water shortages, and arrangements such as water bowls or small tanks should be placed in public and rural areas, she said.Speaking on the occasion, ZP CEO Bhuvanesh Patil said that to help the public report issues related to drinking water, fodder for livestock, or disaster-related problems, helplines have been established with staff deployed to respond to complaints.HDMC commissioner Dr Rudresh Ghali, probationary IAS officer Ritika Verma were present.